Journey Day 6 | PCT Day 6

Mike O’Tuel had already hiked the Appalachian Trail. Here he pauses with Keith as we hike into Banner.

4/22/85

We arose early, packed, ate Snickers bars and hiked down into Chariot Canyon. My knee was hurting so the going was slow, but the sun was out! We met Mike O’Tuel at the bottom and hiked with him past mines into Banner, where we strung out our gear and laid over.

O’Tuel, 24, a self-proclaimed “professional student” from Greensboro, N.C., had already hiked the Appalachian Trail and other trails. He carried 40 pounds compared to our 60 pounds. He came into Chariot Canyon almost at a gallop and filled us in on the Blister Angels and John Lund, who’d headed into Mt. Laguna when the storm hit because he had no tent.

We decided to lighten up and bought tents and rain pants. My tent will be five pounds lighter than the Eureka Timberline I’d been carrying. Rain pants are a light, sensible replacement to Levi’s. To be picked up in Whitewater Canyon. We plan to send our gear back from Warner Springs, leaving us with only one tent for a stretch.

The Banner stop was a haven after our stormy recent past. I drank a gallon of milk, ate salami and cheese sandwiches, drank apple juice. Then beef stew and ice cream for dinner. Enjoy town food while it’s available.

If knees, heels heal, I want to do this. I sometimes flag in my determination, but feel often the wonder of such a trip.

Called home. As I talked to the answering machine, assuring Mom I was fine, I felt a rush of  homesickness. So far from home and taking chances has me at least a little scared.

Last night was scary, hypothermia a possibility. And this morning’s knee injury made it tough to get out of the jam.

Showered and washed hair for the first time in a week. Not the pleasure I thought it would be. Dried off with a t-shirt.